For Immediate Release

Cleveland, OH – This morning, the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force apprehended wanted fugitive Jonathan Ward. Ward was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police on charges of armed robbery. Ward also had outstanding charges with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office for carrying a concealed weapon. This past September, it is alleged that Ward was involved in an armed robbery in the area of E. 70th Street and Cedar Avenue. The victim was robbed at gunpoint and the suspect got away with the victim’s money, cell phone, and a bag of groceries. The Cleveland Division of Police began an investigation and eventually solicited the assistance of the Task Force to aid in the apprehension of Ward.

The Task Force began its search and was able to acquire information of known places that Ward could possibly be hiding. Early this morning after conducting interviews and searches of a few residences in Cleveland’s east side, new information was provided that directed that Task Force across town to a location on the 2800 block of Division Avenue. The Task Force set up surveillance on the address and shortly thereafter was able to decipher that Ward was in a residence. The Task Force gained entry into one of the units of the Lakeview Estates Housing Complex and found Ward sleeping in a bedroom. Ward was taken into custody without incident by Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers. During his arrest, a 9mm handgun was recovered underneath the mattress of the bed that Ward was sleeping in.
Deputy Chief Ed Tomba of the Cleveland Police Department stated, “After exhausting all investigative options, this case was referred to our partners at the U.S. Marshals Task Force, who were relentless in tracking down this violent fugitive. Our partnership in the Task Force is a benefit to both the Cleveland Police and the citizens of the City of Cleveland.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, Euclid Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Linndale Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Westlake Police Department, Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service and the U.S. Secret Service.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

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